Andre Van Damme collection
Scope and Contents
This collection contains programs and newspaper clippings about Belgian-born Andre Van Damme, whose ballet company performed in Charleston, West Virginia circa 1953.
Dates
- Creation: 1953-1954, undated
Creator
- Van Damme, Andre (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The materials from Appalachian State University Libraries' Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The nature of these collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. As a result, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
Conditions Governing Use
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the Appalachian State University assumes no responsibility.
Biographical Note
Dancer Andre Benoni Van Damme (December 16, 1919-February 3, 1989) was born in Belgium. He was admitted to the ballet company of the Royal Opera House of Brussels shortly after his 16th birthday. When his dance career was interrupted by military service, he struck a deal with officers that allowed him to continue rehearsals while discharging his army obligation. Van Damme was recalled to military service during the mobilization of 1939. When his country fell to the Nazis, the dancer joined the underground while continuing to perform.
Meanwhile, he had been named premier danseur étoile by the ballet company, a title he cherished. Nevertheless, after the liberation of Europe post-war hardships took their toll. Van Damme and his family moved to America in 1947. They first settled in New York City, then were persuaded to move to West Virginia by John and Jose Hiersoux, Charleston pianists. They told Van Damme a ballet school was for sale and convinced him a living could be made in the state, and he could rehearse and tour with the Hiersouxes.
Van Damme settled in Charleston in 1948 and opened his school, which he called the American Academy of Ballet. He founded the Charleston Ballet in 1956. Van Damme remained in Charleston until his death.
(The West Virginia Encyclopedia)
Extent
0.01 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Andre Van Damme Collection is a collection of programs and newspaper clippings about Belgian-born Andre Van Damme, whose ballet company performed in Charleston, West Virginia circa 1953.
Arrangement
This is a one-folder collection.
Acquisitions Information
W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection purchased this collection in June 2006. Its accession number is AC.2006.039. It was opened to the public in August 2006.
Processing Information
Processed by Kathryn Staley, August 2006; Encoded by Kathryn Staley, August 2006.
Missing Title
- Van Damme, Andre
- Ballet
- Andre Van Damme Ballet Company
Subject
- Andre Van Damme Ballet Company (Organization)
- Title
- Andre Van Damme collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by: Kathryn Staley; machine-readable finding aid created by: Kathryn Staley
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository
